The Best Shows Hitting Vancouver July 2014

Idaho folk and alternative country songwriter Josh Ritter is returning to Vancouver for the second time on his world tour promoting last year’s album The Beast in Its Tracks. Written in response to his divorce from songwriter Dawn Landes, the record is an honest, reflective affair about moving on without regret and eventually finding new love. Ritter has another six albums to pull songs from for his setlist, never ceasing to play every single number with the most genuine, infectious smile on his face. Don’t miss him at The Commodore Ballroom with indie jazz/soul band Lake Street Dive on July 31.

Philadelphia indie rock band The War on Drugs released its third studio album, Lost in the Dream, this spring to widespread critical acclaim. Influenced by classic rock artists Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and Bob Dylan, frontman Adam Granduciel crafts lengthy, riff-driven songs that have a way of taking the listener back in time. Following a sold-out show at The Biltmore Cabaret in March, The War on Drugs return to Vancouver to play two nights at The Rickshaw Theatre on July 29 (sold out) and July 30.

Ringo Starr made his first appearance in Vancouver when The Beatles performed at Empire Stadium in 1964. The 73-year-old Brit returns on July 15 when he plays a concert with his All Starr Band featuring Todd Rundgren, Steve Lukather (Toto), Gregg Rolie (Santana, Journey) and Richard Page (Mr. Mister). Performing at the Hard Rock Casino in Coquitlam on July 15, Starr is expected to play hits from both his solo career and The Beatles years, while other band members will also get a chance to perform hits from their former bands.

On Saturday, July 12, West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano will be shut down for Khatsahlano, the city's largest street party of the summer. In additions to dozens of food trucks and hundreds of merchants and vendors to check out, 50 local bands will be performing on eight different stages throughout the day, all free of charge. Not to be missed is Nardwuar’s always-entertaining band The Evaporators, indie rock band Lightning Dust, Victoria songwriter Aidan Knight and the top 12 artists in this year’s Peak Performance Project, including Derrival and Good For Grapes. The festival runs all day from 11:00 a.m. to 9 p.m. stretching from Burrard St. to MacDonald St. along West 4th Avenue.